State to hold public hearing on Fore River Bridge design

The state Department of Transportation will hold a hearing on the design of the new Fore River Bridge next Thursday night at Weymouth’s Adams Middle School. Preliminary work on the foundation for the new bridge is under way, but the design has not been finalized.

Quincy and Weymouth residents will have another chance to weigh in on the design of the new Fore River Bridge at a public hearing next week.

The state Department of Transportation will hold the hearing at 6:30 p.m. next Thrusday at the Abigail Adams Middle School, 89 Middle St., Weymouth. Preliminary work on the foundation for the new bridge is under way, but the design has not been finalized.

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The $244 million project, which includes construction of the new bridge and demolition of the temporary one there now, is expected to be completed in 2016. The bridge connects Route 3A in Quincy and Braintree.

Michael Verseckes, a spokesman for the state transportation department, said the hearing is another opportunity for neighbors to give their opinions.

“There’s been no shortage of interest in this project, and we want to reciprocate that interest with our commitment to getting the word out there to solicit feedback and make sure everyone’s comfortable with what the finished product will be,” he said.

Verseckes said major changes to the design at this point are unlikely.

The state’s plan for a vertical-lift-style bridge, similar to the temporary structure there now, has been widely criticized by neighbors, who wanted a drawbridge. The state says a drawbridge would be too costly to build and maintain.

Though some neighbors have grudgingly accepted the vertical-lift design, they have repeatedly called on the state to limit noise and dust and manage traffic backups.

The department has set up a website with project updates and a hotline where neighbors can report problems. The hotline number is 617-504-2924.

Within the past month, the hotline has received one call, Verseckes said. It was from a man looking for work on the project.